Perth Lifestyle Overview
Perth's lucky residents enjoy a Mediterranean climate and a relaxed lifestyle in a very beautiful, clean, spacious feeling city.
Like most Australian cities, the majority of people live in detached houses with gardens. This means the city sprawls over a large area. At the heart of the city lies the beautiful, wide, Swan River.
Despite having well over one million inhabitants, Perth is markedly quieter than the larger cities of Sydney and Melbourne. Perth is not really an ideal location for young, single people seeking exciting city nightlife. Many people think Perth is an excellent location for families.
Most migrants find Perth is a friendly place to settle, particularly compared with Sydney where people sometimes seem to have less time for one another.
Perth is an isolated city, with vast stretches of virtually uninhabited desert to the east and thousands of miles of Indian Ocean to the west. Other Australian cities are several hours by jet plane.
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Where is Western Australia & Perth Located?
Western Australia is the largest state in Australia. It amounts to a third of the area of Australia, with a total area of more then 2,500,000 sqkm. Perth is the capital of Western Australia with just over one million people and is said to be one of the most beautiful cities in Australia.
WA is divided into five regions; the Kimberley, the North West, South West, the Interior, and the Wheat Belt. The majority of the population live along the beautiful white sandy beaches of the West Australian coast
Perth City is situated between the Darling Ranges and the Indian Ocean, and along the banks of the Swan River, 12 km from the ocean. The river is named after the famous black swans which can be found along the river. The city is bound by the river to the east and south. To the west of the city is Kings Park, which has over 400 hectares of natural Australian bush overlooking the city centre and the Swan River. The view from Kings park is quite unique and is a must for any visitor to Perth.
The Swan River weaves its way through the metropolitan area to the Port of Fremantle, which has many beautiful houses, restaurants, and recreational areas along its banks. The river provides an ideal opportunity for the locals to enjoy the beautiful weather and participate in many different water sports such as boating, sailing, water skiing, wind surfing, rowing, fishing, parasailing, swimming, jet skiing, or just cruising the river on one of the many ferries.
The city centre is quite small when compared to other cities in Australia such as Sydney or Melbourne. The city has four major streets running east to west - St George's Terrace, Hay Street, Murray Street, and Wellington Street.
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What is the Population of Perth & Western Australia?
Perth has a population of almost one and a half million, with the state of Western Australia having a population of approximately 2.18 million.
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People of Perth?
Slightly over one third of Perth's residents were born overseas.
According to the Bureau of Statistics, people from the UK are Perth's biggest migrant group, making up 12.4 percent of the population. The next biggest groups are New Zealanders (2.5%), Italians (1.6%), Malaysians (1.2%) and South Africans (1.0%). Around 6.5% of the population is Asian and 0.6% come from the Middle East or North Africa. Aboriginal Australians represent 1.5% of Perth's population.
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What is the Climate like in Perth?
Perth enjoys a Mediterranean climate with warm, sunny weather for most of the year. Perth is the sunniest capital in Australia with an average of eight hours sunshine a day. The skies above Perth are often bright blue without a cloud in the sky. There is very little rainfall in summer. Rainfall comes mainly in winter although, even in winter, Perth usually enjoys plenty of pleasantly warm sunshine.
The summer months are hot with an average temperature of 29 degrees Celsius during the day, and 17 degrees Celsius at night. Beware, those from cold climates, some days around late December/January have been known to rise to and above 40 degrees Celsius (about 104 degrees Fahrenheit)! The warm summer days are cooled down in the afternoon with the "Fremantle Doctor", a strong sea breeze that blows in from the ocean. The "Doctor" blows away the hot air trapped above the Perth Metropolitan Area and the Darling Ranges, providing an excellent wind for windsurfing and sailing on the Swan River. Perth experiences a very low rate of humidity, and it is recommended that you drink lots of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. It is advisable that when out in the sun you always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses, particularly for small children.
The winter months in Perth are from June to August and are mild, with an average temperature of 18 degrees during the day, and 9 degrees at night. The wettest month of the year is July, and the average yearly rainfall is around 880mm. The rain seems to come down hard and quickly, and will be followed in many instances with sunny periods. It rarely gets cold enough for snow to fall or frost to form.
The climate of Perth, like many Australian locations, is getting drier. It can affect what time you can water your garden or wash your car. Remember to be water wise and help save the water in our dams.
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What is the Perth Time Zone & Daylight Savings?
There are three time zones in Australia:
- Western Standard Time (AWST - GMT + 8:00) in Western Australia
- Central Standard Time (ACST - GMT + 9:30) in South Australia and Northern Territory
- Eastern Standard Time (AEST - GMT +10:00) which operates in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania and Queensland.
WA is two hours behind Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania time and one and a half hours behind South Australia and Northern Territory time. www.timeanddate.com/worldclock
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Does WA have Daylight Savings?
Also known as Summer time, Daylight Saving Time occurs when the time on local clocks is advanced forward by one hour at the beginning of Daylight Savings Time, and returned back by one hour at the end, during the summer months of December, January and February. The exact dates for each year can be obtained from the relevant Australian State governments.
Daylight saving was introduced in 2006 in WA for a three year trial period, after which a referendum will be held to determine whether it should be implemented on a permanent basis.
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What is the Government System?
Like other Australian states, Western Australia enjoys a politically stable and democratic form of government based on the British Westminster style of Government.
There are three levels of government in Australia:
- The Australian Government, also known as the Commonwealth or Federal Government, administers national policy, including income tax and immigration
- The State and Territory Governments, are responsible for state-specific policies, such as health and policing
- The Local Government in Western Australia consists of 141 councils that provide leadership and governance, services and facilities to local communities
For information about government in Australia, see www.gov.au
For more information about the Western Australian Government, see www.wa.gov.au
For further information on local government in Western Australia, see www.walga.asn.au
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What Major Events does Perth Offer?
Perth pays host to many spectacular events every year. For those who appreciate the arts, there are productions from local and international opera companies and ballet companies, and musicals and plays put on by local and foreign entertainers. The Perth International Arts Festival showcases international talent in the fields of music, theatre, and film. As an annual event, the Leeuwin Estate Concert has achieved acclaim for presenting world class performers in the idyllic setting of a south west winery.
For those who enjoy the outdoor pursuits, Perth is host to the Telstra Rally Australia in October and the Hopman Cup in December to January. The Volvo Around the World Yacht Race (usually!) comes to Perth en route, and the Heineken Golf Classic at the Vines Resort is the richest golf tournament in the country.
For update information on all events in Perth, see: www.perth.wa.gov.au/web/Calendar/
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What is on offer in terms of Performing Arts?
Perth has a rich cultural life offering a full range of world class performing arts opportunities. There are a range of city venues offering cultural events and experiences to suit all interests and tastes.
The Perth Concert Hall is the premier venue for fine music and is home to the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
His Majesty’s Theatre is Australia’s only remaining Edwardian theatre and is a favourite venue for musicals, drama, ballet and opera. This 1200 seat theatre houses the West Australian Ballet and the West Australian Opera companies.
For details of what is playing, please check the individual websites below or the Events Calendar.
His Majesty's Theatre
825 Hay St, Perth
Phone (08) 9265 0900
www.hismajestystheatre.com.au
|
Playhouse Theatre
3 Pier St, Perth
Phone (08) 9325 3344
www.playhousetheatre.com.au |
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA)
53 James Street, Northbridge (Perth Cultural Centre)
Phone (08) 9227 6144
www.pica.org.au
|
Perth Theatre Company Basement
3 Pier St, Perth
Phone (08) 9325 8366
www.perththeatre.com.au |
Blue Room Theatre & Rechabites Hall
51 James St, Northbridge
Upstairs Arts House
Phone (08) 9227 7005
www.pacs.org.au
|
Perth Concert Hall
5 Saint Georges Terrace, Perth
Phone (08) 9231 9900
www.perthconcerthall.com.au |
West Australian Opera Company
His Majesty's Theatre,
825 Hay Street, Perth
Phone (08) 9321 5869
www.waopera.asn.au
|
West Australian Symphony Orchestra
445 Hay St, Perth
Phone (08) 9326 0000
www.waso.com.au |
West Australian Youth Orchestra
21/82 Beaufort Street, Perth
Phone (08) 9328 9859
www.wayma.asn.au
|
West Australian Ballet
2nd floor, 825 Hay Street, Perth
Phone (08) 9481 707
www.waballet.com.au |
Ausdance King St Art Centre
Cnr Murray Street and King Street, Perth
Phone (08) 9322 6101
www.ausdance.org.au
|
Buzz Dance Theatre 357-365 Murray Street, Perth
Phone (08) 9226 2322
www.buzzdance.com.au |
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What are the Museums in Perth?
Perth has a selection of interesting and educational museums. The West Australian Museum is the largest and most comprehensive museum. Visitors can view the State's unique animals, birds and marine life in the larger galleries, enjoy the intimacy of the colourful butterfly gallery or look back into the ancient past in the Aboriginal gallery. A dinosaur gallery completes the experience. The complex is home to some of Perth's oldest buildings including the original Old Gaol and an early settler's cottage. It is located in Francis Street , and is only a short distance from the Perth railway station, and other public transport.
For a listing of museums in Perth, see www.lookatwa.com.au/Community/museums.html
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What are the Main Galleries?
For a list of galleries across Perth and Western Australia go to the Association of Western Australian Art Galleries website at: www.awaag.org.au/
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What is on offer in terms of Comedy?
As well as the regular shows at clubs in Perth, there are often special comedy nights, or big name comedians visiting Perth.
For further details see: www.enjoyperth.com.au
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What is on offer in terms of Film and Cinemas?
Perth has a large selection of movie theatres around the metropolitan area. The movie theatres include outdoor cinemas, classic art deco style cinemas, drive-in, and large cinema complexes. Perth's warm summer climate is perfect for having a picnic before watching a movie at one of the outdoor cinemas (Camelot, Luna Outdoor, Somerville and the Baileys Moonlight Cinema (formerly Sunset Cinema). The outdoor cinemas show different styles of films, from foreign to Hollywood blockbusters. The Dive In movie festival offers the best of both worlds for those warm summer nights, with movies and swimming. You can either lie in the pool on your li-lo or sit around the pool and watch the movie on the big screen.
If you like the old style art deco theatres then you will love some of the classic theatres (Cygnet, Luna and Windsor). These theatres have still kept that magic feeling one felt as a kid, but with today's technology.
If you haven't been to a drive-in before, or haven't been for a very long time, there are still a few left around in Perth where you can go to relive, or experience for the first time the thrill of a drive-in. Try Galaxy drive-in, one of the last still open.
Some of the large cinema complexes around Perth have cafés and family restaurants included in the complexes where you can get a bite to eat before or after the movies. The cafés are a great place to have a coffee after your film, and are usually filled with people talking about the special effects and actors. The cinema complexes are usually found near the large shopping centres around Perth, and have plenty of parking and many different styles of films showing to suit all ages and types of people.
The Festival of Perth is a great opportunity to see some foreign films. The Festival shows many foreign movies and it is definitely worth having a look.
There are many movie theatres located all around the Perth metropolitan area. Whatever your tastes, there will be a theatre to cater for you. Make sure that you check the daily papers, or the movie theatre web sites for locations and session times.
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What is on offer in terms of Nightlife?
The Festival of Perth is a great opportunity to see some foreign films. The Festival shows many foreign movies and it is definitely worth having a look.
Perth has a large selection of pubs and nightclubs to cater for all types of tastes. The main nightclub area in Perth is Northbridge, located just over the railway line from the city centre, and only a few minutes walk from the train and buses. Northbridge is about four blocks long by four blocks wide. In this area you will find about 20 nightclubs, 10 pubs and over 100 eating establishments. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are the busiest days and nights at Northbridge, but there is always a great atmosphere any day of the week.
A Perth tradition is to go to the pub on a Sunday afternoon. This tradition is known as going for a “Sunday Session”. The Sunday Session provides a perfect excuse to finish the weekend with your friends and a few drinks, perhaps looking out over the majestic Swan River, before going back to work on a Monday morning. With the fantastic climate that Perth has, most of the Sunday Sessions are based around beer gardens, sometimes overlooking the ocean or Swan River. The sessions start in the early afternoon and usually end around 9pm. Many pubs have “happy hours” where the prices for alcohol are discounted also. The popular Sunday Sessions are at OBH, Cottesloe Hotel, The Left Bank, Leederville, The Lookout and The Grosvenor. Some places are so popular that you may have to line up to get in after 6pm. Light snack food may be served but most pubs are close to cafés and fast food outlets.
The majority of the nightclubs in Perth are located in Northbridge, with a few being scattered around the outer suburbs, such as Joondalup, Scarborough, Subiaco, Vic Park and Fremantle. Some nightclubs may charge an entrance fee to enter the club. This fee may range from about five to twelve dollars depending on the night and the event. Expect drink prices to be a little higher in clubs than in pubs. Photo ID is required in most cases to enter the nightclubs so make sure you remember your ID – the legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 in Australia.
Perth has two large free entertainment magazines listing upcoming concerts and nightclub events. The two magazines are Xpress, which comes out every Thursday, and Hype, which comes out every fortnight on a Thursday. These magazines can be found at most newsagents, music stores, pubs, bottles shops and some restaurants.
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What is on offer in terms of Sport & Recreation?
Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, the City of Perth is well suited as host to a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities. The clean city environment with beautiful parks, gardens and the Swan River foreshore provides the perfect settings for many individual, group and club sporting and leisure pursuits.
West Australians take part in various local and national sports competitions, ensuring that on any given weekend, Perth is always hosting a major sporting contest. The main summer game is cricket, although inroads are being made by soccer and basketball. In winter the religion is Australian Rules Football, or "footy". The other main winter creed is Rugby League, but this is much more the game of New South Wales and Queensland. If tennis is your game be sure to find yourself courtside at Burswood Dome at the beginning of January when one of the world's most prestigious invitational tennis tournament, the Hopman Cup, hits off.
There is also a Speedway set up at Kwinana Beach that houses the Quit Motorplex. Here people flock to watch high-speed car racing, rally driving, drag racing and even burnout competitions. The Motorplex also runs an annual motorshow called Motorvation, which holds car racing, displays, burnouts and fireworks over a 2 day period.
With the river and ocean on its doorstep, sailing and fishing also figure largely in Perth's sporting life. The main yacht clubs are Royal Freshwater and Royal Perth on the Swan, and the Fremantle Sailing Club on the coast just south of the port. Sailboarding (windsurfing) is also very popular and extremely fast off the ocean beaches. When the wind is brisk, Pelican Point on the river is packed with both novice and experienced enthusiasts. Golf is also popular and Perth weather makes it a year-round obsession.
There are innumerable sports grounds, playing fields, and swimming pools throughout the metropolitan area. Many suburbs have their own tennis and bowling clubs. Some other sports that the people of Perth enjoy include badminton, ballooning, cycling, diving, hockey, horse racing, lawn bawls, orienteering, table tennis, triathlon and watersports.
Horses provide year-round entertainment at the Gloucester Park trotting track, while flat racing attracts hefty crowds during the summer at Ascot, and winter at Belmont Park.
Summertime sees the highly-rated State cricket team, the Western Warriors, play regular interstate games, and international matches are conducted both under blue skies and under lights at the WACA oval. Baseball rates highly, as does basketball, with the State team, the Wildcats, firm favourites.
Winter sees regular league fixtures on the Australian Rules football calendar. The State is represented by two teams, the West Coast Eagles and the Fremantle Dockers, in the national competition and play each weekend during the season.
Other regular sporting fixtures include surfing, tennis, baseball, motor racing and show jumping.
Perth has a comprehensive network of cycle and dual-use paths. One of the most popular routes for leisure cyclists and walkers is a circuit around the Swan River at the doorstep of the city. Many riverside routes are clearly signposted and detailed cycle maps can be obtained from most metropolitan bicycle retailers.
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What is Available for Cyclists?
Perth is one of the best capital cities in the world for cycling, with relatively few hills and great weather. The Perth bicycle network offers great opportunities for bike riding all over the city, and dedicated cycleways and shared paths throughout Kings Park, Fremantle and the northern suburbs offer fantastic views of the Swan River and stunning Sunset Coast beaches. Whether you're commuting or sightseeing, biking is a great way to get around Perth while enjoying the great weather.
A large range of maps of cycle routes is available, including ride suggestions. All Perth bicycle paths are designated with signs with directional pointers and distances to various attractions.
You can take your bike onto Transperth trains for no charge (restrictions apply during peak times) and see the outer areas of Perth without exhausting yourself totally. A fantastic day out is a ride around the Swan River, with a meal in Fremantle or up at Guildford, then catch the train back to the city.
There are many off-road bike trails in the national parks close to Perth, with difficulty levels to cater for all abilities. The Munda Biddi Bike Trail, nearly 900 kms of trail winding its way through national parks and state forests of south west Western Australia, starts at Mundaring and will visit many charming towns on the way to Albany when fully completed. Campsites and restpoints are provided.
There are some rules and regulations to remember. Pedestrians have right of way over cyclists on shared paths. Ringing your bell will usually clear the way for you. Always ride on the left-hand side, except when overtaking. And wearing a helmet is compulsory.
If you don’t have a bike but you feel like going for a ride, bicycles can be hired at various locations throughout Perth including at Kings Park and down by the Swan River. More information can be obtained from the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, Phone 9420 7210. Booklets detailing routes around the River, along the Coast and from Armadale to Perth are available from the Department of Sport and Recreation, Perry Lakes Stadium, Wembley or by phoning BikeWest on 9216 8000.
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Maps and Trails
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure's 'Cycle Instead' program has created maps for the following:
- Ride around the rivers
- Ride along the Sunset coast
- Touring Perth and Kings Park by bicycle
You can visit the DPI website at: www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/
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What is Available with regards to Food & Dining Out?
Perth has more restaurants per capita than any other city in Australia. Nobody is sure why Perth has so many restaurants. Perhaps it's the fantastic weather that makes "al fresco" dining tempting for most of the year. Or perhaps it's the several "spots" like Fremantle and Subiaco where you can chose from dozens of different restaurants within a five minute walk. One thing for certain is that you can sample all of the wonderfully different cultures of our society in the hundreds of restaurants available in Perth.
Perth has a large range of eating establishments varying from silver service to authentic cafés, from steak houses to food halls to suit everyone's budget. You can find Italian, Greek, Turkish, French, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, Lebanese, Seafood, Japanese, Australian and more in the popular eating areas such as Northbridge, Leederville, Subiaco and Fremantle.
Opening Hours: Most restaurants are open evenings from about 6:00pm onwards. Many restaurants, especially those in the Perth city centre, open at lunch time. The times vary, but are usually between noon and 2:00pm. Some have special lunch menus, which can be a real bargain. Some restaurants, especially cafés, are open for breakfast. The breakfast menus vary, from a simple coffee and toast, to a full cooked breakfast. As you might expect, the busiest times are Friday and Saturday night. Friday lunches are also a popular way to start winding down for the weekend.
Food: Naturally, you can order "a la carte" off the menu, but many restaurants have a set menu of dishes available at a lower price. Most restaurants offer entree, main courses, and desserts. A hint for American visitors: In Australia, an "entree" is the starter, not the main course!
If you are vegetarian or have other special dietary needs, check with the restaurant when making a booking. Most restaurants will do their best to accommodate you. Many cafés now have a vegetarian section on their menu. A word of warning for allergy sufferers - most Asian restaurants use MSG (monosodiumglutamate) in their cooking, to enhance the taste and colours of the food. So if you are prone to an allergic reaction, don't forget to ask for no MSG.
You can find restaurants that claim to be halal, vegetarian, or kosher. You will need to check their advertisements. Many restaurants also offer a home delivery or take-away service.
Fast Food: Most of the popular fast food franchises of the world can be found in Perth, plus many more local specialties that represent most flavours of the world. McDonalds, Hungry Jacks (part of the Burger King franchise), Subway, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Pizza Hut, and local chains such as Red Rooster and Chicken Treat, can be found Perth wide, and even in some other parts of the state. Other food such as "fish & chips" (seafood takeaway), Chinese, Indian, Mexican, and many more can be purchased by people "on the go". Delivery of your food is also an option at many of these places, and typically either no charge or a small fee is levied for this delivery.
Alcohol: All restaurants will serve water and non-alcoholic drinks. A "licensed" restaurant will sell you alcoholic drinks. Some restaurants hold only a restricted license, so they can only serve you alcohol if you order a substantial meal. The alcohol on offer varies with the restaurant; the silver service restaurants have impressive wine lists and many of them have their own wine consultant on staff. Most of the cafés in Perth take pride in their wine menu being dominated by wines from the many West Australian vineyards.
BYO: Many restaurants in Australia have a BYO ('bring your own") policy. This means that patrons are welcome to bring their own alcoholic beverages. Some restaurants and cafés are both licensed and BYO; often your meal will be a lot cheaper if you bring the alcohol. The restaurant or café will provide you with glasses. Some restaurants charge "corkage" of about $1 or $2 per person if you bring your own alcohol. In most instances, even with corkage, it is cheaper to bring your own.
Prices: All government taxes are included in the price on your bill. Tipping is not expected in Australia, but it is appreciated by the hard working waitering staff! Some restaurants add a service charge, commonly on public holidays, but this will be clearly indicated to you prior to commencing the meal. The price of your meal will obviously vary with the standard of the restaurant. Café prices are fairly standard - entrees start at about $5.00 to $8.00. Main courses will vary from about $8.00 to $20.00.
Bookings: Most restaurants will take bookings. Some cafés do not. If you are able to make a booking, we suggest that you do; especially for Friday and Saturday nights. If you have a large group (i.e. more than about 6), make sure you book for any night.
For list of restaurants in Perth, see www.lookatwa.com.au/EatingOut/index.html or www.eatout-perth.com.au/
The Central Business District and Northbridge
In the CBD and Northbridge you will find many cafés serving excellent coffee, as well as gourmet grocers where you can pick up ingredients to “make your own”. The abundant al fresco cafés of Northbridge provide the perfect vantage point for people-watching while you enjoy beautifully crafted coffees, cakes or gelati.
When the long sunny days give way to the night, there are still hours of entertainment to be had around the city. Night time venues ranging from combined art gallery/bars through to underground dance clubs and themed pubs offer a range of choices for every night owl.
Northbridge has by far the greatest concentration of clubs and pubs, drawing crowds particularly on Friday and Saturday nights. Music styles including house, funk, jazz, hip-hop and the blues draw a mix of patrons to the precinct, creating an energetic night-time atmosphere.
For those seeking a different scene, there are plenty of friendly pubs in which to play a game of pool and listen to live music. Chilled out lounge bars are great places to start or end the evening, or you could seek out a club where you can dazzle your partner with your Latin dancing prowess.
The City's West End
The “West End” area of the city has grown swiftly in popularity in recent years to become the fashionable choice for post-work socialising that extends late into the night. Boutique breweries and glistening, modern bars lure thirsty city workers and shoppers. The compact area makes the West End ideal for bar-hopping. Further towards West Perth, you’ll find even more stylish venues, including the lush Onyx, and Black Tom’s, where you can enjoy fresh oysters with your champagne.
The CBD is not traditionally known as an after-hours destination, but those who seek shall find! A host of tucked-away bars, some underground, some in arcades and malls, and others located within the many hotels along St Georges Terrace, provide even more social options. Down at Barrack Square, the Lucky Shag is in a sublime riverside location for a balmy summer’s evening.
East Perth
If the river is a major drawcard, don’t forget about East Perth, where the Royal Bar and Café is perfectly positioned, with plenty of other excellent restaurants nearby. Hay Street East has among its venues the Grosvenor Hotel, known for spawning many of WA’s leading contemporary bands.
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What are the Wineries in Western Australia?
Western Australia is blessed with over 150 wineries. The wineries can be grouped by their physical location into different regions which are: Coastal, Great Southern, Margaret River, Pemberton, Perth Hills and the Swan Valley. The regions span from within 30 minutes from Perth to the Southern regions which can be a 3-4 hours drive, but well worth the time.
The Swan Valley is a 30 minute drive from Perth. In the region you will find wildlife and historical parks, bushland, arts and crafts, and most importantly, several wineries. Like the wineries in other regions, many of the Swan Valley wineries also offer fine cuisine with restaurants that are part of the winery. The Swan Valley is especially known for its fortified wines, produced with help from the hot Perth Summer. The Swan Valley is also breathtakingly beautiful in wild flower season. So make a Spring day of it and drift from winery to winery.
The Margaret River region is world renowned for its excellence in viticulture. The Region was only discovered as perfect for vine growing about 30 years ago. Today, you can find dozens and dozens of fine wineries within a few kilometres of one another. The Margaret River wineries love to welcome visitors for wine tastings, meals in their first class restaurants, and a stroll around their beautiful grounds. "Margarets" is famous for its prize winning cabernets, but you can sample the full range of wines in most of the wineries. There is also plenty of other things to do in Margaret River, like swimming at the pristine beaches, surfing at the world famous surf spots, and visiting the many arts and crafts shops. Further details at: www.mrwines.com.
The Coastal region runs from Wanneroo to Busselton. The wineries are not grouped, so you will need to be prepared to drive a little. However, with wineries like Capel Vale and Peel Estate, it certainly is worth it. Why not pop in on your way down to Margaret River?
The Great Southern Region describes the region formed by the Albany/ Denmark/ Mount Barker triangle. The Great Southern Region is less established than Margaret River, with the advantage of being unspoiled by too much tourism. The region has produced extraordinary Rieslings, and make sure you sample Wignall's award winning Pinot.
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Additional Information & Web Reference List:
General Websites on Perth & Western Australia
What's On
Events
Attractions
Sightseeing
Dining
Shopping & Fashion
Entertainment
Kids |
Information on WA, tourism services, things to see and do, travel information, accommodation & more |
www.westernaustralia.com.au |
Provides information on Events and things to do in and around
Perth |
www.enjoyperth.com.au/ |
Resource for people visiting or living in Perth includes
variety of information on Perth such as facts, shopping, dining, lifestyle etc. |
www.lookatwa.com.au |
Guide to Perth & Fremantle |
www.countrywide.com.au/welcome |
Search Information regarding events in Perth, dining, health & leisure, film, nightlife, the arts & more |
www.perth.citysearch.com.au |
Perth online Dining Guide |
www.eatout-perth.com.au |
Eating Out Guide |
www.lookatwa.com.au/EatingOut/index.html |
Information regarding activities & facilities for children & parents in Perth |
www.perthschild.com.au |
Tickets |
Ticketek |
www.ticketek.com.au
132 849 |
Ticketmaster |
www.ticketmaster.com.au
136 100 |
Tourism Australia |
Travel information about Australia, places to go etc. |
www.australia.com |
Australian travel net site, including details of Perth & its attractions |
www.atn.com.au |
Art Galleries |
Association of Western Australian Art Galleries |
www.awaag.org.au |
Cinemas |
Village Cinemas |
www.villagecinemas.com.au |
Hoyts |
www.hoyts.com.au |
Greater Union |
www.greaterunion.com.au |
Palace Cinemas |
www.palacecinemas.com.au |
Museums |
List of Museums in Perth |
www.lookatwa.com.au/Community/museums/ |
Sport & Recreation |
Cricket |
www.lookatwa.com.au/Sports/cricket.html |
Soccer |
www.lookatwa.com.au/Sports/soccer.html |
Basketball
|
www.lookatwa.com.au/Sports/basketball.html |
Australian Rules Football (AFL) |
www.lookatwa.com.au/Sports/AFL.html |
NRL |
www.nrl.com/Default.aspx |
Fishing |
www.lookatwa.com.au/Sports/fishing.html |
Golf |
www.lookatwa.com.au/Sports/golf.html |
Hockey |
www.hockey.org.au/ |
Baseball |
www.wa.baseball.com.au/ |
Swimming |
www.wasa.asn.au/ |
Tennis
|
www.tennis.com.au/pages/default.aspx?id=24 |
Cycling |
www.dpi.wa.gov.au/cycling/ |
Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)
|
www.ais.org.au |
Western Australian State Government |
www.wa.gov.au |
Local Government, & Councils
|
Perth City Council |
www.cityofperth.wa.gov.au/ |
WA – Local Government |
www.walga.asn.au |
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